The DFO said the elephant was part of an eight-member herd going to Phulbani from Mahaguda and might have uprooted the electric pole in the night while crossing the area. Local people spotted its carcass and informed forest officials.

In another incident forest officials rescued a four-year-old elephant calf, which fell into a well at Kadapada village in Buguda forest range. Eight adult elephants were guarding it near the spot.